Reducing harm

Southside Harm Reduction Services working to distribute and pick-up syringes, provide naloxone, and reduce stigma for those using drugs

TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
Luce Guillen (left) carefully places a used syringe into a container held by Michael Neil on Saturday, Aug. 24 during a clean up on the Midtown Greenway, Lake and Bloomington. Neil, a former user himself, says it is important to not just pick up the syringes, but to get to know the people who are homeless in order to know what they need. Plus, then he has some who save their syringes until the next time they see him, knowing he”™ll dispose of them properly. “I let them know we love them,” said Neil. “It”™s a reflection of where I come from, too.”

By Tesha M. Christensen

When Jack Loftus and Jack Martin saw a gap in services for safe injection equipment and more access to naloxone to prevent deaths from opioid overdose, they started Southside Harm Reduction Services.

Two years later, they”™re leading a crew of volunteers quietly working to distribute and pick up syringes in the Southside as they seek to reduce the stigma and judgement people using drugs experience.

“We recognize that drug use and the overdose crisis is incredibly complex and difficult to deal with, but we also know that everyone has the ability to make positive changes, from reducing stigma to picking up syringes to distributing naloxone themselves,” said Jack Martin.… Read the rest “Reducing harm”

Join Nice Ride for $5

By Tesha M. Christensen

Nice Ride Minnesota Executive Director Bill Dossett (front right) rides with Council Member Kevin Reich, chair of the Minneapolis City Council Public Works Committee, at the launch of the Nice Ride dockless system last September. The non-profit is now partnering with Lyft to offer pedal-assist ebikes, as well.

Things are changing fast for shared mobility in Minneapolis, and Nice Ride is working to keep up with its evolving users.

This summer, bicyclists had access to the original green docked bikes, new blue dockless bikes, scooters and pedal-assist ebikes, introduced in late July (see related story on page 3).

“Nice Ride Minnesota over the years has really attempted to ensure that the organization is community-centered,” remarked Nice Ride Minnesota Program Ambassador Alexis Pennie. “It has taken the collaboration of Nice Ride with many community partners ”“ especially those focusing on community health outcomes in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.”

What do you appreciate about Nice Ride and in what ways does the company add value to the community?

Alexis: I appreciate the contributions and support the efforts that Nice Ride is making to curb greenhouse gas emissions, congestion, and increase people”™s opportunities to be more physically active. 

Currently, the leading cause for death in the United States is heart disease.… Read the rest “Join Nice Ride for $5”

PPL’s NEW MURAL

A 4,000-square-foot mural has been created on the side of Project for Pride in Living”™s new Career Center at 1021 E. Franklin Ave. (the former Franklin Theater). The mural highlights the history, voices, and priorities of the Phillips neighborhood on a large scale. Attend the mural”™s unveiling celebration on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 2”“5 p.m.  Power of Vision (POV), a partnership between Hope Community and Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) and a cohort of 10 artists birthed the mural. >> More within the Ventura Village page. 

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